Editorial - July 2002

Street sign vandalism

July 22, 2002 - We’ve got problems with teen vandalism and it’s a lot more serious than it seems. The rash of street sign thefts and vandalism shouldn’t be dismissed as harmless pranks. County officials reported some 75 incidents of road signs either vandalized or stolen during the past few months. It’s likely the work of teens riding around at night and getting a laugh. Some of the signs stolen had first and last names. But the problem is that street signs are often of critical importance during a law enforcement or medical emergency. The same can be said of street numbers on homes, which all too often are not properly displayed. If an emergency responder misses a turn because a street sign was missing, or can’t find a home because an address is not visible, minutes are lost that could mean the difference between life and death.

 Thieves often knock down or bend the sign posts, remove the sign and throw the post into the ditch. If they can’t get the sign blades off, they usually bend them or damage them in some way. Shooting signs is also a growing trend. The cost of replacing the signs has so far totaled more than $5,500. Adding in costs such as posts and man hours adds up to well over $10,000.

County officials said the more rural areas are hit multiple times, but even signs in heavily populated subdivisions around Lake Norman sometimes turn up missing.

When we hear about this kind of vandalism we need to speak up and show our concern. Let’s be sure our own street signs are showing, and that our street numbers are visible. Parents, keep an eye out for these stolen signs. Talk to your kids and make sure they understand their actions are serious. Keep in mind that acts of vandalism are criminal and what may seem to them to be a harmless prank will be a blemish on their record for life.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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